Current-motor.



PATENTED DEC. 18, 1906.

W. A.'OAIRNS.

CURRENT M APPLICATION FILED OTOR.

MAILS, 1906.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1-.

PATENTED DEC. 18, 1906.

W. A. CAIRNS. CURRENT MOTOR. APPLICATION FILED MARJi, 1906.

THE uomus PETERS ca, WAsMINGYON, p. c.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CURRENT-MOTOR.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 18, 1906.

Application filed March 5, 1906- Serial No. 304,357.

T 0 (l/Z] whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WVILLIAM ARTHUR CAIRNS, a subject of the King of Great Britl ain, residing at Greenfield, in the county of Franklin and State of Massachusetts, have invented new and useful Improvements in Current-Motors, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to the class of waterwheels, and more particularly to what are known as currentmotors that are adapted to be submerged. in a flowing stream of water.

Broadly, the invention consists in providing a revolving casing containing mechanism operated by compressed air for projecting and withdrawing the blades or paddles through the sides of the casing, so that the flowing stream of water acts on the paddles for about one-half a revolution and withdrawing the same successively at the end of the half-revolution.

In the drawings forming part of this application, Figure 1 is a horizontal sectional view on line 1 1 of Fig. 2, showing the interior mechanism of the motor. Fig. 2 is a vertical 1 section on the line 2 2, Fig. 1, looking in the direction of the arrow. Fig. 3 is a detailed view on line 3 3 of Fig. 1.

Referring to the drawings in detail, a designates the casing adapted for revolution and carrying with it a stand-pipe 7), mounted for revolution. Between the casing and stand-pipe is arranged a water-tight joint or l packing c at the top and another one, (Z, at the bottom of the same.

0 designates the partition or web in the stand-pipe b.

The stand-pipe b is connected at the top with an ordinary air-compressor (not shown) for supplying compressed air for operating the driving paddles or blades so as to project i and withdraw the same from the metal casing.

Connected with the upper part of the stand-pipe b is a supply-pipe f, communicating with a valve-cylinder g, cylindrical in form and closed at the top by the casing a l and at the bottom by the integral part 9'. l IVithin the casing and adapted for rotation is a valve h, one side of which is straight and passes through the diameter of the cylinder, 1 while the other side thereof is cut away, as shown at 'i. It will be noticed that the sup- I ply-pipe f is connected to the stand-pipe b above the web e. Secured to the valve h is a 1 stream, as shown at 2.

[ flap-valve of any suitable construction for normally closing the pipe 7c and controlling the supply of compressed air leading from the cylinder g to a pipe 7c, which connects with the inner end of a blade-operating cylinder 7c, in which is mounted for reciprocation a piston m, attached to the stem at of an operating blade or fin 0. Extending upward through the valve-casing g is a shaft p, to which the valve h is attached. On the lower end of the shaft p is a crank-arm q, connected with which is an op erating-link 1', on the inner end of which is mounted a roller 8, adapted to fit the cam-shaped groove or channel it in the stationary piece a. Connected with the outer end of the cylinder 76 is a pipe 1) and leading into the valve-cylinder g, the purpose of which will be explained farther on. Also connected with the valve-cylinder g is an exhaust-pipe w, communicating with the standpipe I), but below the Web 6, as shown in Fig. 2.

, Normally distending the valve y' so as to close the port or opening from the-cylinder g to the pipe is is a spring 00. (Shown in Fig. 1.)

Connected with the lower end of the standpipe 5 is a pipe y, extending upward through the supporting-masonry z, on which the motor rests and above the surface of the It will be noticed that the stand-pipe I) has a collar b immediately below the water-tight packing (Z for affording a bearing, as shown.

Upon supplying compressed air of suitable pressure to the pipe I) the valve 1' is moved from the dotted to the full line position, as shown in Fig. 1, so that the opening leading from the valve-casing g is placed in communication with the pipe 7c. The compressed air then enters the inner end of the cylinder k, forcing the piston m outward, as shown. in Fig. 1. In this position the blade 0 receives the impact of the flowing water, turning the entire casing a and standpipe in the direction of the arrow 3 until the blade has traveled through a semicircle. At this point the connecting-link 7" has rotated the valve h by reason of the roller 8 following the cam t, so that the pipes 7c and w are placed in communication with each other, as shown at the lower part of Fig. 1, and also with the exhaust-pipe y. At the same time the valve it has placed in communication the pipe 1), which is connected with the outer end of the cylinder k, allowing compressed air to enter this cylinder and drive the piston m back, thus withdrawing the blade.

The

compressed air confined in the cylinder 7c is then allowed to escape through the pipe 1:, valve-casing .g, and pipe w back to the lower part of the stand-pipe b below the partition or web e, where it escapes freely through the exhaust-pipe y to the atmosphere.

For the purpose of clearness I have only shown the motor provided with two paddles or blades; but it is obvious that any convenient number may be used.

The opening through the casing a where the blades pass is preferably made watertight in any well-known way.

It will be observed that the casing is mounted on a bed-plate 4 made in the shape of a spider having the arms 5. Secured in these arms are uprights 6 for the purpose of raising and lowering the motor out of the water by any suitable means.

For controlling and stopping the motor I use any of the well-known governing means for controlling the supply of compressed air. I have not shown this feature, as it does not embody anything newin its construction and arrangement.

The flowing water is in the direction of the arrow 7.

In order to prevent the flowing water, which may carry dangerous debris, from striking against the revolving casing, I provide a curved shield 10, secured to the basepiece by any suitable means, as clearly shown in the drawings.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is

1. In a water-motor, a casing adapted for rotation, a stand-pipe passing through and secured to the casing and having a watertight joint at the top and bottom of the same, a series of valve-cylinders within the casing, supply and exhaust pipes connected to the valve-casing, a valve within the casing, and means for rotating the same in unison with the movement of the casing, cylinders, a piston therein connected to the blades, pipes between the stand-pipe, valve-cylinders, and cylinders whereby when compressed air is supplied to the stand-pipe the blades are successively protruded, and withdrawn from the casing at predetermined points.

2. In a current-motor, a water-tight casing adapted for rotation and immersion, a standpipe having a partition within the same and passing through the upper and lower side of the same, supply and exhaust pipes connected respectively above and below the partition in the stand-pipe, valve-cylinders to which the supply and exhaust pipe are connected, a fixed cam, link mechanism between the cam and the valves, a series of cylinders to which the supply and exhaust pipes are connected and. with the valve-casings, a piston within the series of cylinders, a driving-blade connected with the pistons whereby when compressed air is supplied to the upper end of the stand-pipe, a series of blades or paddles will be automatically protruded and withdrawn from the rotating casing at predetermined points in the revolution of the casing.

3. In a water-motor, a rotatable casing, a driving blade adapted for reciprocation through the sides of the casing, and means for operating the blade at predetermined points, said means consisting of a cylinder having a piston therein and attached to the stem of the blade whereby when compressed air is supplied to one end of the cylinder, the blade is operated in one direction, and when applied to the opposite end the blade is oper ated in an opposite direction, and means for controlling the supply of compressed air to the cylinder.

4. In a water-motor, a water-tight rotatable casing, a series of valve-cylinders within the casing, a valve in each cylinder adapted for rotation, one side of the valve being cut away and the other side straight and passing through the diameter of the valve-cylinders,

an auxiliary valve secured to the said valve and normally in an extended position, supply and exhaust pipes connected. with the valve-cylinders and with a stand-pipe passing through the water-tight casing, said stand-pipe having a partition within the same for separating the supply and exhaust air from the valve-casings, means for controlling the valve within the valve-cylinders at predetermined points, a series of blade-operating cylinders, a piston therein and connected to the operating-blades, a pipe leading from the valve-cylinder to the inner end of the blade-operating cylinder for carrying the supply of compressed air for driving the blade out, a pipe connected with the valvecylinder and the opposite end of the bladeoperating cylinder for withdrawing the blade when the valve with the valve-cylinder is in one position, and for permitting the escape of confined air in the blade-operating cylinder when said valve is in another position.

WILLIAM ARTHUR CAIRNS.

Witnesses:

HARRY W. BOWEN, K. I. CLEMoNs.

IIC 

